148 



WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLJ^JSTS. 



stray from the garden into the fields, ^^"liere it speedily degenerates, and, 

 if neglected, becomes a troublesome unsightly weed. 



Fruit broadly winged-margined ; carpels slenderly 5-ribbcd, the lateral 

 ones close to the margin ; oil-tubes shorter than the carpels. Stout ^eren- 

 nials ; leaves large, ternately dissected; petioles broad and sheathing; 

 umbels flat, large, the cuter flowers commonly larger and appeariDg 2-clei't ; 

 involucre few-leaved, deciduous ; ij^ro/wce/./many-leaved. 



H. lana'tnm, Mx. Woolly ; stem sulcate ; segments of the leavra 

 broad, palmate-lobed, subcordate at base. 

 Woolly Heeacleoi. Cow-parsnip. Masterwort. 



stem 4-8 feet high, branched above. Segments of the leaves 4-10 or 12 inches in length 

 and as wide as long, the middle one often 3-iobed ; petioles 1 - 4 inches long. Uvrbels some- 

 times a foot or more in breadth, the rays 2-6 inches long. Involucels of 5-8 leaves, 

 which are lanceolate, with a long slender point. Floicei's white. 



Rich low gromids. More common northward. May - July. 



Obs. This very conspicuous strong-scented plant is sometimes used in 

 medicine. The seeds are aromatic. The root is very acrid when fresh, 

 and produces blisters when applied to the skin. Much of its acridity is 

 lost by drying, and in this state it is used as a stimulant. The plant has 

 a doubtful reputation, and should be used with caution. 



Calyx 5-toothed. Fruit elliptic-ovate, convex or lenticularly compressed. 

 Carpels with 5 equidistant obtuse ribs, the lateral ones dilated into a 

 flattish thin-edged margin. Oil-tubes one in each channel, and 4 - 6 on 

 the inner face. Involucre 0 or few-leaved, i/it'o/uce/s many-leaved. Stem 



3. HEEACLE'UM, L. Cow-paksxip. 



[Dedicated to Hercules.] 



JOO 



Fig. 99. Fruit of the Cow Parsnip (Hcracloura lanatum,) in which the oil-tubes do not 

 fill the whole length of the channels. 100. The same cut across, "both enlarged. 



